This summer, the 32nd edition of the Newport Charter Yacht Show will immerse its guests into the world of luxury chartering with an emphasis on New England as a premier cruising destination. Scheduled for June 23-26 in Newport, Rhode Island, the four-day event, managed by Newport Exhibition Group and held at the Newport Yachting Center on the city’s historic waterfront, is the only charter yacht show of its kind in the U.S., hosting a sophisticated selection of motor and sailing yachts that range in size from 80 feet up to the superyacht length of 150 to 225+ feet. All of the yachts are currently being marketed for summer vacation excursions in New England, and from that perspective the Newport Charter Yacht Show’s mission is to help each of them showcase the best of their offerings, including accommodations, amenities, menu options, recreational programs and capabilities of the captains and crew aboard, to charter industry professionals and discriminating consumers (attending with brokers).
“We are moving at a record pace this year,” said Newport Exhibition Group Show DirectorNancy Piffard, explaining that yacht registrations are already up 40 percent from last year, and a large selection of those vessels fit the superyacht criteria. “New England is a highly sought after vacation spot, especially in the summer months, and the charter market has always been steady, but recently we have seen even more activity, especially from yachts that are new to our waters. They have come to the right place to be in front of the country’s finest brokers and agents.“
Among the newcomers to New England and the show is the luxury sailing ketchAsolare, which at 155 feet is the largest sailing vessel entered to date. “It took four years and about one million man hours to build Asolare, which is absolutely fascinating,” said its Captain Roy Wadeson (Newport, R.I./Palma Mallorca, Spain), adding that the yacht – a Bruce King design built in 2003 by Hodgdon Yachts in Maine – is made entirely out of wood, and its Andrew Winch interior is adorned with over 500 hand-carved designs.
Asolare‘s light-filled interior sleeps six guests comfortably in its two identical staterooms and master suite. It also offers a private aft cockpit area, “his and her” bathrooms and two ensuite cabins that serve as an office or library. Other distinctive features include an open deck plan and an upper saloon with curved glass windows that offer a 180-degree view of the horizon. “She is an incredible yacht that sails beautifully, and we are looking forward to an exciting year,” said Wadeson.
Also new to the Newport Charter Yacht Show and the area is the 142-foot motor yacht Chevy Toy, which will be showcasing an upgraded look when it lowers its gangway to welcome show participants aboard.
